What we do

Communications, Media & Culture rapidly developed into a major centre for research and learning after its foundation in 1978. Its research arm, the Stirling Media Research Institute, is internationally renowned, attracting many doctoral students, visiting scholars, and practitioners, from across the world. The subject area consistently draws high ratings for its teaching at all levels.

Many CMC graduates are successful practitioners, entrepreneurs and executives in the media and communications industries, and active in numerous other occupations. They regularly return to share their professional experience with current students. CMC’s strong relationships with screen industries, public relations and journalism professionals are among its core strengths, along with its high-profile activities within international research communities.

The wide choice of options in taught graduate and undergraduate programmes, and in doctoral research, includes theoretical study in the field of media and culture, as well as vocational work on the media, communications and journalism industries. Our undergraduates may choose to include radio, television, print and online journalism practice modules in their programmes of study.

These pages, along with our Blog, Facebook page and Vimeo channel will tell you more about what we offer and who we are. You can also follow us on our production and journalism Twitter feeds.

A mix of practice and theory

For a lot of students one of the big attractions of the division is the possibility of doing practical work alongside more conventional academic modules. In fact, for many it’s the main reason to come to Stirling, though once here students usually find that theory and analysis modules provide a clear framework in which to place their work. Many students and graduates tell us that it’s this mix of practice and theory that’s one of the most enjoyable and valuable aspects of their education.

From the start, the division has run modules in both sound and moving image. This began with radio and TV journalism, expanding over the years to include documentary as well as radio and video drama. There are six audiovisual modules in total from which students can select up to four in their final two years.

In addition to these specialist modules, there are web-based projects available for Film & Media students in fourth semester and Journalism Studies students deal with both web and print design.

A showcase of creative works by Film, Media & Journalism students can be found on our Vimeo page for video work and also on our Audio blog for audio work.

It includes video dramas and documentaries, radio dramas and features, and other creative work produced by students at Stirling.

Information for Applicants

The media play a central and ever-increasing role in contemporary societies. Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st they have expanded in range and influence and now affect many aspects of our lives. Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, cinema and the Internet all provide us with information about the world in which we live and help significantly to shape our ideas, opinions and attitudes.

The media, including film and popular music, are also a major source of entertainment, taking up much of our leisure time. In view of this, it’s not surprising that they give rise to issues which are often controversial and at the centre of public debate.

We are pioneers in film and media education and research, nationally and internationally active in the field since 1978. The division has consistently been rated top in Scotland in Research Assessment Exercises since they began (including the most recent exercise).

Undergraduate Programmes

Our undergraduate teaching is highly rated and focuses on the critical and theoretical study of film, broadcasting, journalism and the press, the internet and new media, sport, advertising and public relations. Audio and video production work, in small groups, is a popular strand of the undergraduate course, along with scriptwriting.

These pages, along with our Facebook page and Vimeo page will tell you more about the programmes we offer.

A Mix of Practice and Theory

For a lot of students one of the big attractions of the Division of Communications, Media and Culture is the possibility of doing practical work alongside more conventional academic modules. In fact, for many it’s the main reason to come to Stirling, though once here students usually find that theory and analysis modules provide a clear framework in which to place their work. Many students and graduates tell us that it’s this mix of practice and theory that’s one of the most enjoyable and valuable aspects of their education.

From the start, the division has run modules in both sound and moving image. This began with radio and TV journalism, expanding over the years to include documentary as well as radio and video drama. There are six audiovisual modules in total from which students can select up to four in their final two years.

In addition to these specialist modules, there are web-based projects available for Film & Media students in fourth semester and Journalism Studies students deal with both web and print design.

A showcase of creative works by Film, Media & Journalism students can be found on our Vimeo page as well as our Audioseen blog. Here you can find video dramas and documentaries, radio dramas and features, and other creative work produced by students at Stirling. News from the Division of Communications, Media & Culture is regularly featured on the Film, Media & Journalism at Stirling Facebook page.

Postgraduate Programs

The wide choice of options in taught graduate programmes, and in doctoral research, includes theoretical study in the field of media and culture, as well as vocational work on the media, communications and public relations industries.

These pages, along with our Facebook page and Vimeo page will tell you more about the programmes we offer.

Welcome to the Film, Media & Journalism Undergraduate pages. Here you will find useful information and material for current Film & Media and Journalism Studies students, including module outlines, a list of academic advisers and relevant departmental documents. Please click on the links on the right for further information.

Undergraduate Advising

Choosing Modules

You should check the University Calendar for details of how your degree is structured and the choices you can make within that structure; follow the links on this page to find more information about all the CMC modules available. The University will provide you with a list of compulsory modules for your programme; you choose your modules through the on-line registration system on the Portal.

If you have any further questions about module choices, then these can be raised with one of the Advising Team below

The Division of Communications, Media and Culture encourages its undergraduate students to study abroad for either one semester or a full academic year and offers them full support throughout the application process. We also maintain contact with you while you are away and are on hand to help solve any problems you encounter. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, and students returning to Stirling for their fourth year come back to us stronger, more confident and enriched by their time away. Future employers often look very favourably on the self-reliance, motivation and adaptability implied by your period of overseas study when they see it in your CV.

We offer academic exchanges with a wide variety of universities in, for example, in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan or the United States, and at institutions throughout Europe. What courses you can take vary from institution to institution, but there are a wide range of options available to students wishing either to go down either our theory or production routes on their return to Stirling. A full listing of our partner universities at which you can study at can be found here. As you’ll see, the world, or large chunks of it at any rate, could be your academic oyster in your third year, and the department is delighted to help facilitate what might prove to be the most exciting move you make in your scholarly career.

Your first port of call, during your second year, is the University’s Study Abroad office: look out for their publicity and be as organised as possible when putting your application together (don’t leave things until the last minute).

The department’s Study Abroad Adviser, Dr Derek Hodge, is also available to offer advice throughout the academic year, and can be contacted at derek.hodge@stir.ac.uk